The telltale sign Tony Armstrong was ready to move on from ABC Breakfast as he confirms his shock departure

Tony Armstrong shocked fans when he announced live on Tuesday that he would be stepping down from his role on ABC News Breakfast.

But there were apparently already signs pointing to his departure, as the 34-year-old sports presenter had announced a major change just a few days earlier.

This past weekend he announced that he has taken his talents off the television screen and has turned his attention to writing instead, an unexpected career move.

The former Sydney Swans player confirmed he has written a children’s book titled George the Wizard, which is due for release on September 25.

The picture book tells the story of a lonely wizard who goes in search of friends and is illustrated by Emma Sjaan Beukers.

His book comes less than 24 hours after he confirmed he will leave ABC News Breakfast after three years.

Speaking to the Courier post Tony spoke about the project saying he was approached to write about his football career, but chose to write a book for children instead.

“It’s about my reading level,” he joked about his exciting new project.

‘I love being in the world of the fantastic and being a little crazy. Children’s books throw the rules even further out the window.

“It’s just feeling and emotion and that’s what attracted me. The only thing that keeps you going is yourself.”

Tony, a proud Gamilaroi man from NSW, said he wanted to write a football book or ‘necessarily’ make a football book a story about indigenous peoples.

“Mainly because I think that’s what people expected,” he explained.I like to zigzag when that’s expected of me.’

On Tuesday morning, Tony confirmed live on ABC News Breakfast that he will be stepping down from his role as sports presenter in a few days.

Tony announced that his final show will air in less than two weeks, on October 4, but he hopes to return as a guest to promote his book.

“I was quite nervous about doing this,” Tony confirmed.

‘I have stopped with News Brekkie and my last day is October 4th.

“I want to thank everyone so much – all of you, my colleagues, everyone behind the camera, all the producers, all the people watching and coming out on the street to say hello and all that kind of stuff.

‘Um, yeah, it’s been three years and a bit of a hectic period, a lot has happened, it feels like I’ve been on a rocket, but the support I’ve had from News Brekkie and the news in general has been amazing.

“Thank you so much, I’m going to miss the couch. I won’t miss the alarm clock, but I will miss the couch. I’ve had such a good time.”

As he steps down from the morning show, he cryptically told his fans that this won’t be the last time they’ll see him on their TV screens.

Tony hinted at more big career changes, confirming that he will be working on an exciting new project with the ABC next year, but he was reluctant to elaborate on the details.

“Early next year I have something coming out, but I’m not allowed to say what it is yet, it’s top secret,” he teased.

His co-host Michael Rowland then paid tribute to Tony and shared his sadness at the fan favourite talent’s withdrawal from the programme.

He said enthusiastically, ‘We’re going to miss you, I’m going to miss sharing sports stories and jokes with you, I really do, mate. Even though you’re not a morning person, we can all agree. You’ve brightened up so many mornings.’

He then referred to Tony’s landmark nomination for the Gold Logie in 2024 and the awards he had won in previous years, while praising him for his prestigious achievements.

“I’m so glad that this show has given you a platform to become an award-winning name and that you’re going to do even bigger and better things,” he said.

Her fellow presenter Bridget Brennan added: “I know it means a great deal to me and to the thousands of other First Nations viewers who wake up and see Tony representing us every day.”

The ABC has not yet confirmed who will replace Tony at the morning show’s sports desk.

But ABC news director Justin Stevens said: ‘Tony Armstrong is a once-in-a-generation talent and it’s fantastic to see him become so successful in his role on News Breakfast.

“I can’t wait to see what he does in the future and how his career continues to improve.”

Tony’s loyal fans took to social media to express their disappointment that he will no longer be a regular fixture on ABC’s morning program.

“Tony Armstrong is leaving ABC News Breakfast. That’s a bit sad, he’s a favourite with so many,” shared one user on X – formerly known as Twitter.

‘Tony Armstrong is leaving ABC News Breakfast [crying face emojis]’, wrote another.

A third added: ‘Love Tony. Met him briefly in Fitzroy once. Really lovely person. What you see is what you get. Will definitely miss him!’

Another big change was that Tony’s departure came just weeks after he was nominated for the prestigious Gold Logie last month, along with a host of other Australian TV talent.

He competed against the likes of Julia Morris, Asher Keddie, Andy Lee, Sonia Kruger and Robert Irwin, but ultimately lost to TV veteran Larry Emdur.

He was also in the running for the award for most popular presenter, but the Bert Newton Award once again went to Larry from The Morning Show by a wide margin.

It is not the first time that he has been put in the spotlight at the Logies: in 2022 he won the award for most popular presenter and the year before that the award for best new talent.